Racing performance following prosthetic laryngoplasty using a polyurethane prosthesis combined with a laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy for treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in 78 Thoroughbred racehorses.
Authors: Raffetto J A, Wearn J G, Fischer A T
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) remains a significant performance limitation in racing Thoroughbreds, causing dynamic airway obstruction that impairs exercise capacity; prosthetic laryngoplasty (PL) combined with laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy is the surgical gold standard, as it mechanically restores normal airway dimensions rather than relying on scar tissue remodelling. Raffetto and colleagues evaluated the racing outcomes of 78 Thoroughbreds treated with a polyurethane prosthesis—a material choice distinctly different from previously studied alternatives—to determine whether this combination approach could reliably return affected horses to competitive performance. Following surgery, 65 of the 78 horses (83%) returned to racing, with 52 horses (67% of the total cohort) maintaining their pre-operative racing class or competing at higher levels, demonstrating substantial functional recovery in the majority of cases. These results suggest that polyurethane prosthetic laryngoplasty offers a durable, practical solution for managing RLN-affected racehorses, though the 17% failure-to-return rate indicates that case selection and individual prognostic factors merit careful consideration before surgery. For equine practitioners, this evidence supports PL as a legitimate intervention for preserving athletic careers in RLN cases, provided realistic expectations are set regarding the proportion of horses unlikely to achieve their previous performance standards.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Prosthetic laryngoplasty combined with laser ventriculocordectomy is an effective surgical option for treating RLN in racing Thoroughbreds seeking to maintain or improve performance
- •Polyurethane offers a viable prosthetic material choice for laryngoplasty procedures, providing surgeons with an alternative to traditional materials
- •This procedure restores normal airway mechanics, addressing the performance-limiting airway obstruction caused by RLN
Key Findings
- •Prosthetic laryngoplasty using polyurethane prosthesis combined with laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy was performed on 78 Thoroughbred racehorses with RLN
- •The procedure restores airway mechanics variables to baseline in horses with RLN
- •Polyurethane prosthesis is evaluated as an alternative prosthetic material for laryngoplasty in equine RLN treatment